How To Use A Red Dot Sight 2020 – Top Red Dot Sights

While red dot sights are the most popular sites right now, many users don’t know how to properly install or how to use a red dot sight with their firearm.
Here’s a quick guide on how to use a red dot sight properly.

Things you will need

Let’s begin with the installation. You’ll need three things to install the red dot sight.
First of all, you’ll need a red dot sight that is compatible with your firearm. Then you’ll need Allen wrenches to mount the red dot sight on the firearm. You might also need Hex keys if they are nor given to you with the red dot sights. And lastly, you will need your firearm where you will install the red dot sight.
When you buy a red dot sight, chances are, it will come with Picatinny rail attachment for mounting. Also, the pack should also include other mounting tools. However, if the red dot sight you bought doesn’t come with the necessary tools to mount it on a gun, you need to arrange Allen wrench and Hex keys by yourself. It shouldn’t be much difficult as these tools are fairly common.

Mounting the red dot sight to your rifle

If you are mounting the red dot sight on your rifle, the best place to do so is on the top of the rifle’s receiver end. There are 2 reasons for picking this place on the rifle for installing the red dot sight.
First of all, the top the receiver end of a rifle gives the red dot sight more stability than any other place on the rifle. Also, this position also gives the red dot sight a proper balance so that you can properly manage to hold zero. However, just because I am telling you to put the red dot sight on the top of the receiver end doesn’t mean it is universal. It is not universal but varies on the person using the scope and the gun.
Some users are more prone to use the red dot sight slightly closer because they want a better view of the aiming point. So, at the end of the day, it is really up to the user to decide where they want the red dot sight to be.
However, if you are willing to mount a magnifying scope, you will require more space on the gun. So, keep the room for the magnifying scope behind the red dot sight. Mount the red dot sight as far up the receiver leaving room for the magnifying scope behind.
Lastly, make sure the red dot sight is attached to the gun properly otherwise there is a good chance for it to move and compromise accuracy.

Mounting the red dot sight to your handgun

Mounting the red dot sight on a handgun is slightly difficult than mounting it on a rifle. For this, you will need to buy a corresponding mount plate which will replace the previous rear iron sight.
Again, make sure the mounting is tight and there is no movement when you move with the handgun. To be sure that the red dot sight doesn’t move, you can apply this gun hack. First, buy some blue Loctite if you don’t have it in your workshop. Use it to hold the screws and ensure a snug fit to make sure they are not loosening due to recoil force later on. Some people might use red ones. But I personally suggest the blue one. When you the red one, it is permanent. But the blue one is not permanent and yet, works just fine.

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How to Use A Red Dot Sight

By now, you should be done with mounting the red dot sight on your handgun. So, it’s time to know how to use a red dot sight to aim at your target and shoot.

Step 1: Set your target and aim

The first step is to aim at your target. There are several tips on how to aim at your target. The most important one is to keep the target at a reasonable distance which is 25 yards. From 25 yards distance, you can range to zero in because these are generally close-range gun sights. But if you are a if you are way past this range, then you should use a magnifier to accurately aim at your target.

Step 2: Use the iron sight for confirmation

Iron sights are great to co-witness your scope. Even though on its own, iron sight is not that efficient, it can definitely add value to the red dot sight. If your firearm has an iron sight, use it as a co-witnessing tool. This iron sight can act as a secondary confirmation tool to ensure you are actually zeroed in. To check that, look at your reticle through your optic. You need to make sure it is lining up directly and perfectly on top of the iron post at the end of the gun barrel.
If you notice that it is not sitting properly on top, you need to adjust the reticle dot horizontally or vertically to ensure it is placed properly. Once you ensure this, you should be completely zeroed in and ready to shoot.

Step 3: Point and put the reticle on the target

Now it is time to finalizing the aim. To do so, simply point or put the reticle dot exactly where you want to aim, that is, your target. If you have followed the last step properly, your sight should be properly co-witnessed and there shouldn’t be any compromise with the accuracy. But for some reason, if your firearm doesn’t have an iron sight, you need to do a small thing before you actually shoot your target. You need to secure the firearm from the recoil as you would normally do with a scope.

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to mount a red dot sight on your firearm and how to properly use it to aim your target, it is time for you to go out and enjoy hunting with your friends and family. And if you want more information about red dot sight, you know where to look.

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Hello and welcome to my blog. I am Shien, founder of topreddotsights.com. Here at topreddotsights, I provide guides on how to shoot effectively, answer reader’s questions, and review on the latest hunting or shooting Optics or Sights. I review what I think is best for most people, not what people think best? Your satisfaction is our priority.